Suicide means ending your own life, with some referred to as a gateway for people to escape pain. 

People from any race, gender, age or socioeconomic status may feel suicidal at any point in their lives. Even someone who seems to be happy or appears to “have it all” can be vulnerable to suicide.

The Namibian police say from January 2020 to June 2021, 690 men died from suicide, while 101 women also succumbed through the act. 

During the same period, 22 boys and 13 girls – juveniles – committed suicide. Khomas tops the suicide numbers.

Suicide is caused by mental illness and many factors contribute to suicide, such as lack of social support, loss of job and financial struggles – the list goes on.

Recently, we heard about a student from the International University of Management (IUM) who committed suicide after he failed an exam.

There are several situations and factors that put some people at risk of becoming suicidal, including suffering from mental illness like depression, drug or alcohol abuse, stressful life situations like bullying or relationship problems, serious long-term illness, trauma like the sudden loss of a loved one, childhood abuse and a family history of suicide.

Let me shed more light on suicide: people are going through many problems and challenges, and what I have seen is people tend to judge without applying the concept of understanding what
perhaps forces somebody to take his or her own life.

It is disheartening to hear that every day, our brothers and sisters are committing suicide, which I sometimes believe could be prevented.

Let us hold hands and raise awareness about this act. If you detect some signs of mental illness from your friend, as soon as possible by doing so you will save lives.

Warning signs

• Isolation

• Saying goodbye to family and friends 

• Getting rid of personal items

• Talking about dying or wanting to die, feeling empty, hopeless or having no way out of problems.

Talking of guilt and shame 

Talking of not having a reason to live and that loved ones would be better off without them

Treatment

Counselling is the only powerful weapon to fight against suicide.